St. Landry democrat., 1887-03-19


stead"
But begins Nadine feebly. She
is plainly delighted at the chance of
scamping the German
I've told auntie I'm going to look at
book to-day, so you may rest yourself
In that chair with quiet soul. I
wouldn't be rs conscientious as you, Ma
dine, for a kings ransom. Not that that
| would be much nowadays, with all these
| NlhllsIc doctrines gaming ground as
they do Are you comfortable in that
overgTown chair You look trifle lost "
81 am quite happy" says Nadine, with
Il sigh of content.
! She is feeling tagged and nervous, and
is glad to rest i'll Millicent's pretty room
! with no chance of being allowed to move
! for an hour ar least. Lucky your'
| says Miss Grey, dropping down upon the
hearth rug and taking her knees into her
embrace. 1t is only April yet, and very
chilly. ''I'n not. Oh, yes; I know!
! You needn't finish what is on the tip of
your tongue. | have everything the heart
of girl can desire-the best of aunts,
plenty of money, season before me "a
first one, too, lover, and pretty much
my own way-and still | am not happy!
/ say, ism it a shame keeping me at my
ltSSpilS, "iSlI Al G1lokIICI 4liOILu l. SilIil Dt
eighteen, and presented, and all the rest
of it,,
"Well, certainly think they might as
! we'll have let you off the month"
It's downright mean of auntie-and
as a rule she isn t that, eh.''
Il think she is the kindest woman I
ever met says Nadine, with sudden
fervOr.
Her English is exceedingly pure, but
there is just suspicion of foreign ac-
cent in her tone when she grows in any
way excited.
'She is-there ism t doubt Of it, de-
clares Miss Grey, who likes to hear her
auntie praised. But like the rest of
US, she has her little weaknesses. Well,
never mind. dare say there are more
objectionable things in the world than
NJ. Liere and Professor Vredenburg.
Nadine-say-that's a sweet little frock
you have on Where did you get ity''
Il made it. You really like it?' She
stoops forward, and her lovely face grows
pink with a pleased surprise. II confess
| thought well-not bad, myself-but
TO hear you praise iti''
1T is the incest thing | have seen this
many a day. | congratulate you on it,
Next month, as | have told you, shall
be an emaDcipated being-free of even
monsieur and the professor-With per
mission TO order my own gowns; and then
shall buy myself the exact fac-simile
Of the one in which you are now looking
so fetching. 1t will be u sort of satisfac-
ton TO you to see how exceedingly badly
It will become me-"
"Ah! probably [ shan't see" says Ma
dine.
0J1ir1- fcGY ric i,,h har
only that the loss of her engagement will
be a serious lessening of the grist she
brings to the mill, but she is fond of Mil
hcent and to lose her-the pretty, saucy,
kindly friend-that seems very bitter.
won't You, though? What do you
mean by that pray?''
why, that | shall disappear with
monsieur and the professor when you
step upon the world s stage"
Miss Grey, bringing herself nmbly to
her feet, drags Nadine from her chair,
and compeiS her to stand in front of her.
'Now that have brought matters to
the correct point-now for the stage
effect, - she says airily. You see, we
are both very STACEY in our sentiments
to-day. Now, listen TO my arrangement,
and be warned in time that il you object
to it murder will be done-here, in this |
very quiet room in Park lane. Auil;ie |
is Ct opinion that | am unfit to go about |,
without a keeper, and you are to be ap- |
pointed such. Sec? According to auntie, !
you are a very model OF propriety, and l |
am exactly the reverse. You are to take |
me in hand, and make me altogether |
such one as thyself. y
"Oh, cent.-impossible. l could |
not do that"
''And why them What tone! what
d voice! Is it possible you are going to
say sNo,' to my proposala Have you for
gotten that the consequences of such folly |
on your part viii mean death? Ny dear |
Nadine. really. though, what is it that /
You object to-
81 shouldn't t do at all us Your compan-
ion'h--
;'Why not, you ridiculous mouse? |
Well, there.-let lis say no more t,bout 1T |
Just low. | never think myself but l |
am always sure it is an excellent thing /
for other people TO do when Il little per- |
picked However. before you begin to |
think. tell me one reason for refusing to |
be my guide and mentor.
A quick flash rising to Madness brow
dyes her face crimson.
:'You are going to be married. says /
NIillicent quickly, noting the signal of |
distress
sit is true-yes"
'sAnd you never told mer' There is a |
strong reproach in her tone. Then-see-
ing the pallor on the face before her the |
strange sorrowful whitening Of the beau |
tiful face), that has chased from it the |
unwilling roses of q moment since-and |
as she marks the mournful dropping of |
the lips and the look of terrible depres- |
sion, nay, fear, that betrays itself in the !
shrinking form-pity overcomes her |
sense of i'll usage, and some sharp inner |
sense conveys to her the truth of it all. |
"You are afraid of something! You do
not love him." she cries impulsiWly,
slipping down on the ground beside the
lounge on which her friend has sunk as